For about two decades now , the UK authorities is crusade on the reducing in quantity of peat used for commercial-grade and domestic horticultural purposes , but since Bord na Mona decided to terminate all peat extraction on its own realm , it made people see that the end of peat is really existent now . " look on the timescale , it will become a challenge to fill the gap that is left by peat , " order Catherine Dawson of Melcourt , a peat - free growing media producer in the UK . They are a relatively small player in the industriousness , but are very dynamic in theGrowing Media Associationand are very tangled in regain new sustainable alternatives .
Some figuresIn 2010 , the UK government set several targets to foreshorten the custom of peat , like the eradication of the exercise of peat by recreational gardeners by 2020 and the eradication of the usance of peat by commercial raiser by 2030 . But how did the use of peat changed over the years ? In a2020 account from Coventry University , in which the system - spacious issues in transition off from peat employment in UK growing media has been examined , several figures have been presented regarding the variety in habit of peat over the years .
" Overall ( retail and professional sector combine ) the proportionality of peat in uprise medium was keep down from 94 % in 1999 to 62 % in 2011 , 57 % in 2012 and then remained at 55 - 56 % ( 56 % in 2015 ) . Anecdotal grounds indicates that unshakable down progress has been maintained with the figure now being around 50 % . " In turn , the peat alternatives in growing media increased . " Overall ( retail and professional sphere combined ) the proportion of peat option in acquire medium has been increased from 6 % in 1999 to 38 % in 2011 and to 45 % in 2013 and 2014 . "
Increasing demand for alternativesAlso at Melcourt they have seen the need for peat alternatives in develop media increasing . " The company was formed in 1983 . We never sold peat , but we sell mathematical product that could be used to ameliorate peat . Also , at that time , the peat debate had not really started , but as shortly as it did , in the late 80 ’s , the founder decided to start producing growing medium , so supplying a quick to use Cartesian product instead of an additive . We spent 10 old age in developing alternatives and in 2001 , we ’ve introduced our own Sylvamix ® range for the professional industry . Over the old age , we have come across the requirement raise steadily . "
Click here for their agriculturist brochure .
Retail market place is boomingIn 2014 , they started to trade their Cartesian product - same tone - into the retail food market as well and requirement turn out precipitously . " Our retail reach has really overtaken in size in recent years . Nowadays , we sell more to retail than to the professional industry . " An of import grounds for this increment in demand for peat alternatives in farm media was the target typeset by the government to phase out the us of peat by amateur gardeners and some lead growers becoming customer , thus demonstrating to others that commercial-grade peat - devoid production was totally potential .
And particularly last year , Melcourt discover a sharp gain in demand . " Last year , due to the pandemic , many people were stick at dwelling house , the UK gained 3 million new gardener . Since , and even before online , the garden centres opened in May , they saw a massive increase in sales to retail . "
Also for this yr , Dawson ’s expectations are high . " give that we are coming into the adult horticulture season now and the fact that the garden centers are open , we expect sales to be every bit as honest as last yr . Even online - compost is an expensive product to charge - sales are boom and people seem to be happy to bear the toll to deliver it to their doorway . "
Challenge to fill the ' peat gap’Melcourt is very active in the Growing Media Association and are very involved in finding new sustainable option . concord to Dawson , finding alternatives and enough alternatives can become a challenge the coming year . " Bord na Mona stopped the peat origin on its land , but it will have enough book for this year . However , depending on this timescale , it will become a challenge to fill the gap that is left by peat . We at Melcourt are not worried as we get the materials we want , but as an industry nationwide , it will become a challenge . " For this cause , Melcourt is actively look for new sustainable alternatives . " When citizenry see the chance , a lot can get done and that is how progression happen , is n’t it ? "
WebinarEager to learn more about alternatives to peat ? In a webinar , that will take position on March 10th , organized by Chartered Institute of Horticulture , Dawson will give a perspective on mature media in the UK in 2021 .
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For more informationMelcourtCatherine Dawsonwww.melcourt.co.uk
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